Showing posts with label anthropology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anthropology. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Resurrecting the Neanderthal
John Hawk's blog is a recommended read on anthropology, evolution and human origins and the like. He presents an interesting discussion about resurrecting the Neanderthal in the wake of the publishing of the Neanderthal genome. Not the technical aspect but rather the morals behind bringing back to life an extinct race of hominids. Also if they were bought back to life what would Neanderthals be like in the 21st century world. I kind of like the idea that they would like watching sitcoms and would be very popular on dating websites!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Biodiversity hotspot enabled Neanderthals to survive longer in south east of Spain
Over 14,000 years ago when most of Europe was covered in ice and snow during the last ice age of the Pleistocene Neanderthals were able to survive in the very southern tip of the Iberian peninsula in the region of Gibraltar for much longer than elsewhere in Europe because of the plant and animal biodiversity in this "refuge". An international team has reconstructed the landscape near Gorham's cave in Gibraltar by analysing paleobotanical data from geological deposits.
The biodiversity in the area was "unique" compared to the rest of Europe at the time (much of which was under masses of thick ice anyway) and enabled the Neanderthals to survive here 10,000 years longer than in the rest of Europe.
The biodiversity in the area was "unique" compared to the rest of Europe at the time (much of which was under masses of thick ice anyway) and enabled the Neanderthals to survive here 10,000 years longer than in the rest of Europe.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Neanderthal weaponry lacked projectile advantage
The Neanderthals of course are the most successful species of humans so far in that they were around on the planet for a lot longer than us and recent discoveries have begun to dispel the myths that Neanderthals were knuckle dragging morons. However despite being able to produce sophisticated tools and weapons the modern humans had a key advantage over them, projectile weapons.
Anthropologists have analysed the skeletons of early modern men and Neanderthals and found that the latter lack the backward displacement of the shoulder joint that results in overhead throwing activities. Without thrown overhead a projectile weapon has much greater speed and range. While the Neanderthals probably did still throw spears and other weapons modern humans who did throw overhead had a definite advantage. Steve Churchill, an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University, said "perhaps their...short, squat body build with short and massive limbs was not conducive to using throwing-based hunting technology".
Anthropologists have analysed the skeletons of early modern men and Neanderthals and found that the latter lack the backward displacement of the shoulder joint that results in overhead throwing activities. Without thrown overhead a projectile weapon has much greater speed and range. While the Neanderthals probably did still throw spears and other weapons modern humans who did throw overhead had a definite advantage. Steve Churchill, an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University, said "perhaps their...short, squat body build with short and massive limbs was not conducive to using throwing-based hunting technology".
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